ReUseIt Network Launches in Berkshire County

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new online network offers a way to get rid of your old stuff without overloading landfills and transfer stations — recycle it and reuse it.

Based on the concept that one person's trash is another's treasure, the worldwide ReUseIt Network is dedicated to reducing the strain on natural resources by keeping useable items in circulation.

Since many items may be discarded long before they have outlived their use, the ReUseIt Network finds new uses for unwanted items that would otherwise be thrown into the trash.

ReUseIt has formed a group in Berkshire County to connect people who have things but don't want them with people who want them but don't have them.

By visiting the Web site, www.reuseitnetwork.org, individuals can join local group forums to browse items available or post items they wish to discard. Membership is open to all who want to "recycle"; the only constraint is that everything posted must be 100 percent free. Items are not required to be in pristine condition, and in some cases can be non-working. Simply list the item that you wish to give away and wait for someone to respond.

The mission of the network is to reduce the human footprint on Earth by promoting conservation of resources and providing an opportunity for individuals and communities to take action. The online forum serves as a tool to make connections between community members who want to help each other, themselves, and their environment. ReUseIt Network groups can be found throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia, with new groups forming throughout the world.
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Pittsfield CPA Committee Funds Half of FY24 Requests

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A few projects are not getting funded by the Community Preservation Committee because of a tight budget.

The projects not making the cut were in the historic preservation and open space and recreation categories and though they were seen as interesting and valuable projects, the urgency was not prevalent enough for this cycle.

"It's a tough year," Chair Danielle Steinmann said.

The panel made its recommendations on Monday after several meetings of presentations from applications. They will advance to the City Council for final approval.  

Two cemetery projects were scored low by the committee and not funded: A $9,500 request from the city for fencing at the West Part Cemetery as outlined in a preservation plan created in 2021 and a $39,500 request from the St. Joseph Cemetery Commission for tombstone restorations.

"I feel personally that they could be pushed back a year," Elizabeth Herland said. "And I think they're both good projects but they don't have the urgency."

It was also decided that George B. Crane Memorial Center's $73,465 application for the creation of a recreational space would not be funded. Herland said the main reason she scored the project low was because it didn't appear to benefit the larger community as much as other projects do.

There was conversation about not funding The Christian Center's $34,100 request for heating system repairs but the committee ended up voting to give it $21,341 when monies were left over.

The total funding request was more than $1.6 million for FY24 and with a budget of $808,547, only about half could be funded. The panel allocated all of the available monies, breaking down into $107,206 for open space and recreation, $276,341 for historic preservation, and $425,000 for community housing.

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